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By winning the Champions Trophy 2025 title Rohit Sharma's India gave a befitted reply to all those who blamed India of having an undue advantage in the tournament. India defeated New Zealand by four wickets in the final to win their third Champions Trophy title.
India rode on captain's knock from Rohit Sharma, who cracked a splendid 76 off 83 to help team chase down the tricky target of 252 runs with six balls to spare.
Mitchell Santner indirectly mentions India's undue advantage after losing Champions Trophy title
Meanwhile, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner admitted they were beaten by a good side. He lauded his team's efforts who did give India a brief scare while chasing. However, India had the last laugh in the end and ended their 12-year-long Champions Trophy drought. However, after saying it all, Santner took an indirect jibe at India's venue advantage in Dubai. He said his team adjusted to different wickets.
"We have adjusted to different wickets, so close but it has been a great tournament," Santner said in the post-match presentation.
"It has been a good tournament. We had challenges along the way, but we have grown as a group and played some good cricket. We were beaten by a good side who turned up today. Lot of good stuff from our group, guys stepping up at different times and that's all you can ask as a captain. (on slowing down during the middle-overs) It was good bowling. We lost a couple of wickets after the powerplay. Credit to the way their spinners bowled, all four of them, world-class. We were 25 under but we had a total, we tried to fight and that's what we did. (on Phillips' catch) He keeps doing it doesn't he," he added.
"The powerplay was the best time to bat, Rohit and Gill cashed in, Rohit's innings was outstanding and it put us on the back foot, but we knew the game can change quickly and we kept chipping away at the wickets and stayed in the game. (on Ravindra) We have seen how he steps up in these major events, he has been outstanding with the ball and even GP. He understands his game at such young age and even put the pressure on India early on. It has been enjoyable, made easier by the group and I can't thank the boys enough," Santner concluded.
Leading up to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final, concerns were raised by various former and current players regarding the perceived imbalance in India's tournament schedule. The crux of the issue centered on the fact that the Indian team played all of their matches in Dubai, while the rest of the tournament's fixtures were held in Pakistan. This disparity stemmed from India's decision to abstain from traveling to Pakistan due to security concerns.
Right before the match, former Pakistan player Junaid Khan said that New Zealand travelled 7150 km while India had the luxury to play at a single venue.
"Distance travelled between matches in Champions Trophy 2025: New Zealand: 7,150 KM, South Africa: 3,286 KM, India: 0 KM. Some teams win by skill, some win by scheduling...," Junaid wrote on X.
Whatever, it is, India have finally won the Champions Trophy 2025 title and put a full stop to tall the naysayers. With this win India avenged their 2000 Champions Trophy final defeat against New Zealand.
